In this episode of the Arete Podcast, Richard Triggs sits down with Richard Palmer, Co-Founder and Partner at Qurate Advisory, to explore what it really takes to build a business that has lasting value.
Richard has spent more than 25 years across corporate advisory, investment, governance, technology, M&A and executive leadership. His career has taken him from New Zealand to the UK and Australia, through high-growth technology, venture capital, funds management, CEO roles, board advisory and now Qurate Advisory, where he helps Australian business owners prepare for growth, succession, acquisition and sale.
This conversation is a practical and honest look at the reality of business ownership. Richard and Richard discuss why so many owners start with the dream of building an asset, but end up creating a job for themselves instead. They explore why most businesses never sell, what makes a business genuinely valuable, and why value is ultimately about cash flow, risk and transferability.
They also unpack the human side of business transition. Richard explains why many deals fail not because the business lacks value, but because owners, families or shareholders are not aligned on what they actually want. The conversation covers succession, trust, resilience, leadership, business owner pressure, Vistage, AI, tax, capital readiness and the importance of preparing for exit long before you want to exit.
At its heart, this episode is about building with intention. It is a reminder that business owners can create income, impact and a valuable capital asset, but only if they start thinking about value early and treat readiness as a discipline, not a last-minute event.
Key Timestamps
2:37 – Why Qurate Advisory exists and the problem it solves for business owners
5:49 – Lessons from the high-growth technology world at Orange
9:39 – Why running a business is very different from investing in one
18:10 – How Qurate Advisory began and why business transition starts with people
21:42 – The simple equation behind business value: cash flow and risk
27:00 – Why misalignment between owners, families and shareholders kills value
35:40 – How AI is changing risk, valuation and exit planning
47:02 – Why business owners should be capital ready every day, not just at sale
USEFUL LINKS:
Richard Palmer on LinkedIn
Qurate Advisory
Richard Triggs on LinkedIn
Arete Executive Website
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